Brianna sat in Raelayeg's stall, leaning up against the wooden wall trying to get her breathing under control. She was still shaking from the nightmare and took comfort in the great horse's gentle nuzzling.

"I am fine, Raelayeg. Just a night terror, nothing more. I hope."

The last came out a whisper and she truly felt that she needed to definately watch her back where the Deither was concerned. Or, was it just her fears of what was going on that caused her to dream? She didn't know, but until she did she would be on her guard.

She rose shakily to her feet and again wrapped her arms around the steed's massive neck, smiling when his head bent over her shoulder to hug her back in a horse-like manner. Never had she felt such a connection with a steed before like she did with Raelayeg. She was amazed by it and envied the horse warriors even more now that she had a taste of the connection they had with their own steeds.

"I will return, Great One, hopefully with some sweets for you and your friends."

Turning, she left the stables within the mountains and made her way back to the keep and the hall where a few were still gathered, celebrating the victory. She looked for Augustine and upon not seeing him, she looked around for the Deither. Not seeing him either, she breathed a sigh of relief and went to a chair to sit.

With her back to the wall, she made herself comfortable and simply watched what was left of the festivities around her, her mind thinking on the dream she had and the meaning behind it. Something told her that it was a warning, whether from Tiphereth himself or her own sub-conscience she did not know, but she was listening to it nonetheless. She wished that the druid were here for her to speak with, but then she was almost glad he wasn't. She found herself softening where he was concerned and even though it made her somewhat uncomfortable it was also a nice feeling. She found herself wanting to get to know him better and wondered if he would like to do the same with her. Shaking her head, she mentally berated herself for her thoughts. She was nothing more than a warrior while he was a great druid. Sighing, she leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes. Her dark hair, now clean and smelling of lilacs flowed around her shoulders, framing her delicate face as her long eyelashes created crescent moons on her high cheekbones. She would resign herself to keeping him safe and seeing to it that his healing ablities were not squandered on the likes of her if her wounds were not severe. He was more important than she was, by her way of thinking and as a warrior she would see to it that he was kept safe.

Why she felt this strongly about keeping him safe, she didn't know either, but she did and she accepted it as what she thought it was. A warrior keeping a holy druid safe, nothing more, although her heart tried to tell her different she ignored it.

A loud clang had her opening her eyes quickly, her hand going to the hilt of her sword when she saw it was nothing more than one of the riders grabbing one of the serving wenches and throwing her over his shoulder, knocking over multiple mugs in the process. She smiled at the laughter that flowed from the woman's lips as the rider all but ran from the hall to pleasure himself as well as the wench. Leaning back against the wall once more, Brianna closed her eyes again and dozed.

____________________________________________________________________________________Judge not nor fear that or those which you do not understand, for it or they may be someone or something that will aid you in the trials of your life.

Jalisa awoke to the feeling of a presence she cared not to feel. Her eyes remained shut for she didn’t need to look to see who the presence was she felt. How she loathed that Drow. But did she loathe him for the fact he had control over her or because he was more like her true nature than she cared to admit? Ah. That was the real question. Was it not?

While Jalisa wanted to believe she wasn’t like him, deep down she knew she was. And to be quite honest with herself, she was more pissed by the fact he took her freedom away from her more than anything. Had he perhaps approached her in another way, maybe then things would be different between them. Who was she kidding? She would not partner up with anyone, no matter how enticing the reward. Well. Except for maybe the Deithir. There was no doubt he was quite the specimen of maleness and like her, he wasn’t exactly what he appeared to be.

But back to Verin. Just the thought of him made her blood want to boil in her veins. One day she was going to get her revenge upon him. Of that she would make quite certain. But until then, she had to be the puppet on the strings he held.

As she felt the presence of him fade away, she dared to slowly open her eyes and see the bard was awake as well. Still unbeknownst to the Dragoness, she didn’t realize just how much of a bond Verin had over the Deithir and therefore was unaware she was feeling the presence of the Drow through her bed partner. Her brows furrowed as she saw his inky, black depths. Her voice was barely over a whisper when she spoke to him.

”You felt him as well. Apparently the puppet master has awaken from his rest and decided to check in on his toys.”

Turning on her back and stretching her legs and arms, she looked more like a lazy feline awakening from a lengthy slumber than anything. Yawning delicately, she sat up slowly and tested the range of motion of her shoulder once more. With her back to the bard, she grimaced slightly but not as much as she had the night before. The rest had done her a world of good as well it seemed. Finally she glanced over her shoulder at the Deithir and let a small grin tug at the corners of her mouth.

”Your pain is hardly noticeable this morning, Fey. This is a good thing. For both of us. Now perhaps we won’t have to spend so much time hiding it from the others as we’ll need our energy hiding the truth about us. Come. Morning has found us. The others will be awakening soon. You can find a quiet, private place to do your morning meditations and exercises. And I can see what they have to eat around this place. I’m starved. And I get rather grumpy when I don’t eat.”

She stood from the edge of the bed and stretched once more then like the night before when she bathed, a dark shimmer surrounded her form and when it faded her hair was in place, her clothes were unwrinkled and she looked rather bright eyed. Waling to the door she reached out and noticed it was still locked. Glancing over at the Deithir once more, she chuckled softly then unlocked the door and stepped out into the hallway.

She wasn’t exactly expecting to see anyone stirring this early but when she saw Lac’Nala sitting in a chair outside a door, Jalisa blinked and stood still for a moment. When his eyes met hers, she felt as thought he had just discovered her terrible truth. But how can that be? No one knew but Tiphereth and herself. Was it possible he had insight of something she didn’t know about? Impossible. When he let a slight smile slip to his feature and he gave her a small nod, she relaxed once more and released the breath she had been holding and smiled as well, returning the nod. Hopefully he would think her reaction to his presence is because of the fact she and Tiphereth shared a room last night. No one knew what really happened between them so she was certain everyone would draw the same conclusion. This is exactly what she wanted them to do.

Silently berating herself for being paranoid, she slipped down the corridor in search of the food she told Tiphereth she was going to look for. Making a mental note to thank the bard for his thinking last night and seeking her out, she started humming a soft tune as she made her way towards the big hall where the celebrations took place the night before.

____________________________________________________________________________________Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

Jin had fallen sound asleep shortly after she laid down in the bed. There was no reverie this night. There was only dreamless, thoughtless sleep. The sort of restful sleep she needed. It wasn’t until she awoke in the morning and discovered she was in the bed alone did she feel the disappointment settle about her. Grabbing the pillow she didn’t use, she drew it over her head as she lay on her back, trying not to let the frustration get to her. Finally irritably flinging it off her, she sat up in the bed and flung the blanket off of her as well. Furrowing her brows, she swung her legs over the side f the bed and stood up, walking over to the dry sink and washing her face off as she mumbled to herself.

”Will the man ever decide proper etiquette is not warranted right now? Surface dwellers still baffle me with these….silly traditions. In the meantime I shall go mad while he does what ever it is he is doing.”

Drying off her face and looking at herself in the mirror, she frowned even more. What was not to like about her? She was beautiful. Her skin was dark, but not as dark as some of her siblings. Her eyes held the almond shape and her face the angular, delicate features of all Elf Maidens. SO why did he see the need to separate himself from her like this?

Bah. She was heading down that road she didn’t want to travel again. Best to just forget it and move on. Perhaps in time he will be unable to resist her charms and find his way to her bed. In the meantime….she would have to find release in other ways.

Like breakfast for starters. Crossing the floor to her door in a few strides, she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway….and stopped dead in her tracks. He sat outside her room all night? In a chair? With his weapons for company? Blinking, Jin thought she was caught up in some strange nightmare. To make sure she wasn’t dreaming, she reached out her hand and poked his bicep. When her hand touched solid matter, she took a step back and furrowed her brows again. She didn’t even know where to begin so she merely threw her hands up in the air, turned on her heel and walked away, yelling a him.

”I shall never understand you, Lac’Nala! Not in a million years! You are the most frustrating man I know! I am going to seek breakfast if you care to join me there unless you prefer the company of your weapons as opposed to me! AGAIN!”

Turning the corner at the end of the hallway, she disappeared from sight as she went in search of breakfast.

____________________________________________________________________________________Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

When the Dragoness had admitted she became some what ill-tempered when she was hungry the bard simply responded with an, "Indeed." and raised an eyebrow. He had little doubt that her kind became irritable when their bellies grew empty.

Stretching, until his long legs extended beyond the end of the bed, the Deithir stiffened and rotated his joints. He yawned and while still rigid began to float upward until he was suspended above the straw mattress. He slowly pivoted in the air, his hair swirling about until it settled as his feet rested upon the floor. Jalisa was already stepping out into the hallway as the Deithir rose in his strange fashion, but it was hardly a display for her benefit. He quite often stifled the use of his ability to fly, but around Jalisa he did not feel the need to blend in.

Tiphereth was curious when the girl paused for a moment and looked to her left. Someone was there, but who? Lac'Nala? That was who it felt like, hopefully the man had only risen to make water and was not just turning in. Jalisa gave a nod and smiled to the ranger, then she literally pranced off like some giddy girl which was completely out of character for her. The way she was acting people would think...

The bard scratched his head as his dark eyes widened. "Ah..." he said to himself as he figured out what the Dragoness was playing at. The ruse would indeed provide them some camouflage.

Feeling rather chipper despite the reality of his situation, Tiphereth tested his abdomen and was pleased to find it tender, but no where near as painful as it had been. The Dragoness' healing magic was quite potent, far more so than his mystical mending, but then perhaps the combination of the two orders of magic attributed to the increased regeneration. Whatever the reason, he was feeling spry and energetic and hungry as well.

With one last yawn he strolled to toward the open door but stopped at the sound of Jin's voice. The Drowess was irate and from what he could make out the ranger was more fond of his weapons than her. A metaphor, he considered and waited behind the partially closed door way as the Drowess stormed past.

Peeking around the corner, Tiphereth spied the ranger still sitting in his chair with a puzzled expression. Their eyes met and the Deithir cast an awkward smile.

"Good... morning." Tiphereth said hesitantly, as he was not entirely sure the ranger's morning was going that well. He then took a few steps backwards and bid Lac'Nala a parting nod as he twirled about and headed toward the great hall after Jalisa and Jin.

The bodies of sleeping warriors and wenches were strewn about the great hall. Much of the food had been eaten and what remained were only plates of stale bread and cheese, but the dried meat was still palatable. Thankfully, Tiphereth found bags of grain in the kitchen off of the hall and other staples which his magic was able to transform into other varieties of food. He started a fire in one of the great stone ovens and on a nearby table began to combine the grains along with some other elements from his satchel on platters. Holding his hand above the ingredients he began to speak the words of his own magical tongue. The grains began to glow, then there was a bright flash and the plates were now filled with fruits, eggs and a large slab of bacon.

"Alaey-Dia, adtas." The bard said to himself in quiet prayer for the bounty.

He then drew one of his knives and began to cut the bacon into strips, tossing them onto a skillet as he did so. The savory scent of bacon and fresh fruit hung heavy in the air and drew his hungry companions into the kitchen where Tiphereth had already set out some plates for them.

Lac, shook his head as Ssinjin stormed off towards the great hall. As he was watching her round the corner of the corridor Jalisa appeared looking quite pleased with herself. Lac acknowledged her greeting just as Tiphereth appeared from the same room as Jalisa. Lac smiled to himself, yet there was something gnawing at the back of his brain and a cold chill fell across his heart as he watched Jailisa and Tiphereth walk towards the great hall.

He rose slowly, stretched and made his way slowly to the great hall. The smell of fresh cooking bacon and breads filled the air as he looked around at the still slumbering Rohirians. Finding Ssinjin he approached slowly, sitting down beside her and leaning close to her ear. Speaking softly so no other ear could hear he said "Ssinjin, to share your bed would have been a most welcomed. I long for that time, but there is something amiss. There is a danger I since, faint and shrouded it is. Your brother is close yet far. I fear he may have spies amongst us, or at the least a power over someone or ones that are close to us." Lac looked up and around the hall. "Even now I sense his influence, but from where I can not tell."

Glancing around the hall again he added "I have sworn to protect you and that oath I shall honor." Lac then kissed Ssinjin lightly upon her neck just above her shoulder.

Jalisa heard the Drowess when she realized her Ranger had opted to stay outside her door rather than seek her company. Daring to glance over her shoulder as she heard the Drowess’ words echo down the corridor, she couldn’t help but give a chuckle knowing the Ranger would more than likely be confused at Jin’s reaction to the situation.

”Perhaps SOMEONE should clue the poor man in on the ways of the Drow if he is intent on keeping company with one of them.”

Her voice was soft and carried no echo to it as she weaved her way through the bodies that were strewn around the great hall. Her nose wrinkled as she caught a whiff of the stale ale and other smells that seemed to fill a place like this after a celebration. While she knew it was merely a part of human nature, she had to admit she really didn’t care for it much. Still, she took the time to observe several of the bodies as they lay in different positions on the floor, benches, and tables around the place.

The one thing she observed was the way the women slept with the men. While some were partially clothed, some were missing key items of clothing and the males seemed to have their hands full, quite literally, of the woman’s anatomy. Jalisa furrowed her brows and wondered if this were normal for humans as she had never really been around them much like this.

The sound of the Drowess’ arrival and her dislike of the scents that assaulted her nose drew the Dragoness’ attention and Jalisa couldn’t help but chuckle when she saw the look on Jin’s face. The Drowess drew her hand up to her nose to prevent herself from having to smell too much of the place but it still didn’t block out all of it. As the Drowess made her way to the doors and opened the place up to allow fresh air to circulate, Jalisa returned to her observation of the humans.

She was in the middle of observing this sort of behavior when the scent of wildflowers suddenly drifted her way and she turned to see the fiery locks of the bard as he drifted into the hall soon after the Drowess picked her way through the bodies. Her eyes followed him as he moved across the hall and into the kitchen. Raising her brows, she wondered what sort of talents he possessed that would take him there.

Her curiousness got the better of her and she picked her way through the bodies heading for the kitchen as well. She noticed Jin had ceased her movements as well and watched the bard until the Drowess could no longer see him. Jalisa noticed the Drowess took a deep breath before she turned and walked to an empty table. Knowing the affect the Fey had upon the Drowess, Jalisa merely thought it was a way for Jin to remove herself from a situation.

Moving through the sea of bodies that littered the hall was not as easy as it would appear. Several times, just as Jalisa went to place her foot down on the floor, a body part would suddenly appear preventing her from stepping smoothly. Finally, after several dives and darts to one side of the other, she made it to the other side of the hall where the doors to the kitchen resided.

She had just walked through the door when she saw Tiphereth hold his hand over the plates. Hearing his native language, she quirked a delicate, dark brow. It was a beautiful language and one not heard in this land. Much like her own native tongue, it was a language that had been around for a very, very long time. Walking over to where he prepared the bacon, she slipped up beside him and popped a piece of fruit in her mouth. Keeping her voice low, she glanced around nonchalantly as she spoke.

”Your talents are ever impressive, bard. You sing, dance, and play beautiful music as well as fight. And now I find you can conjure food from almost nothing. If I were looking for a mate, I’m afraid I would have to seriously try to seduce you.”

Glancing over at him she grinned then gave the slightest wink.

”I do so love a challenge.”

____________________________________________________________________________________Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

Jin sat like a sullen child at the table. To placate her irritability she shoved a slumbering Rohirrim from the bench with her booted foot. The man flopped onto the floor and proceeded to grunt a few times then find another comfortable position where he began snoring once more.

She watched as Jalisa made her way towards the kitchen where Tiphereth was. Her eyes bored into the dark haired woman’s back until she could see Jalisa no more. It was then her eyes fell upon Lac’Nala as he made his way into the hall and they stayed on him until he sat next to her.

When Lac leaned in close and spoke softly Jin closed her eyes and without realizing it, leaned in closer as well. The sound of his voice, the feel of his warm breath on her skin and just his closeness over all was enough to start soothing her wounded pride.

As he revealed his suspicions to her, she slowly opened her eyes and glanced around. Verin? Had possible influence over someone? How was that possible? As far as she knew, no one had come close to him. Had they?

But all thoughts of anything but Lac faded when she felt his lips touch her skin. With a soft whimper, any anger she had at the Ranger melted away. Her hand rose and her fingers caressed his cheek. Opening her eyes then pulling away so she could look into his eyes, she let her gaze hold his for a moment. When she spoke, it was with the same soft tone he had used to speak to her.

”Last night was not about sharing our bodies, Lac’Nala. It was about being with you. If I had wanted to share my body, I would have made it impossible for you to resist. No matter how much you would have tried. I merely wanted to be close to you. When we were separated I feared….”

Her gaze left his and she looked down as she swallowed hard and tried to compose herself again.

”It was not easy, going after the Gorrinvul Queen.”

Lifting her gaze to his once more.

”And when I returned to the surface, I knew the odds were stacked against those of us here, at the Keep. I am ashamed to admit that I was beginning to think you were not successful in securing help from the King.”

Her emotions began to churn within her and she feared she would break down in a flurry of tears and sobs. Looking down once more, she quickly brought her emotions under control then reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. Closing her eyes, she pressed her lips softly against the skin of his neck just as he had done to her earlier.

”I wish not for us to be separated again, Lac’Nala.”

____________________________________________________________________________________Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

Brianna had watched everything from her darkened corner in the hall and couldn't stop a grin at the though of what she'd heard Jin holler at Lac as she came down the stairs. She herself preferred her own weapons to another body, but she just as quickly lost that thought as she thought of Augustine. Again, she mentally berated herself for thinking such thoughts where a druid was concerned. He was a wise man and therefore, untouchable from what she'd been taught.

Watching as Tiphereth made his way to the kitchen and what little was sure to be left of the food stores, she couldn't help but lift her head and sniff the air as she smelled......bacon? Surely not! Her mouth watered at the prospect and she stood, stretching her cramped muscles from sleeping in the chair only to watch as Jin all but melted into the Ranger as he whispered something to her. She chuckled as she began to maneuver through the slumbering bodies to make her way to the outside to relieve herself in privacy.

____________________________________________________________________________________Judge not nor fear that or those which you do not understand, for it or they may be someone or something that will aid you in the trials of your life.

Augustine was outside of the keep, the druid was watching the sunrise, it was part of his meditations; a part he enjoyed very much. The druid looked out onto the black stretch of soil that was before him, the great green wyrm had burned everything to cinder. Looking down Augustine could see much of the ash on his reddish soft boots, it displeased the druid to imagine the ashes of good Rohirrim men beneath his heels.

"From dust we come and back again..." The druid said quietly as he crouched and touched the dark ash at his feet. He let it slip from his hands and fall back to the ground. The dragon was gone now, he had taken to wing and returned back to the mythical lands of Lac'Nala's kin.

The battlefield was quiet, the Gorrinvul were no more, there was no sign of the foul things. Augustine remained standing through the rest of his meditation, he did not desire to sit in the ash. He remembered the old books as he always did as he meditated and his memory was strengthened and his power as well.

The druid's stomach was a bit sour as he walked back to the keep entrance, the druid had enjoyed a few mugs of mead the night before and had not eaten much. Augustine entered the keep and walked to the hall in search of some bread or a bit of cheese and with some luck perhaps a scrap of beef or pork.

Warriors and a few women were strewn all around the interior of the keep, most were still sleeping off their celebrations. The druid made his way around and through the people resting here and there, and entered the great hall. Most of his companions were gathered there, they too were looking for some semblance of breakfast.

"Good morning all." Augustine said with a genuine smile. It did his heart good to see Lac'Nala, Jin, Othargren, and Brianna together. Through all the fighting and other troubles they had not been able to enjoy each others company much in days past.

The druid set his eyes on Brianna, she had taken some time for herself and washed the grime of war and slaughter from her armor and hair and skin. She looked born anew, her hair shimmered in the filtered light in the hall. The druid made his way near her and took a seat at the table with the rest.

"Do I smell warm bacon?" The druid said as he savored the smell.

Augustine could see that the fey had used his talents to conjure up the sweet smelling breakfast foods. The druid was often in awe of the Pharie, his talents seemed endless. Now that Augustine was closer to Brianna he could smell the lilac soap in her hair, with a silent thought the druid let a small breath of his power escape from him, it drifted over to Brianna. Quick as a flash a few small lilacs bloomed in Brianna's hair, just a few above her ear on one side near her hairline. The druid made out as if he did not notice as he inquired about the breakfast foods at the table.

"Tiphereth, I will trade you a rare silver Pharie lantern for a slice of that bacon." The druid said with a grin.

Tiphereth smiled at Jalisa's frisky remarks. He laughed heartily, his shining hair swaying about as he tossed back his head. He leaned in close then and whispered words that not even Elven ears would detect.

"Were I Dragon, eh?"

He laughed lightly at the thought as he opened the oven and checked the biscuits he had prepared. "I would be both fierce and beautiful. A golden crest along my back and white scales as pearl would adorn my body." He continued, puffing out his chest and speaking with grand hand gestures.

"I would be quite the prospect, indeed." The bard finished, holding his chin high and striking a pose.

The Deithir then laughed once more at the idea. Not of being a Dragon, but of being so highly sought after. "You have yet to really to know me." he added, while he tended the bacon and broke some eggs in another skillet.

"Fresh snow is so perfect, almost magical, but that which lingers on turns to ice." The bard advised, Jalisa, punctuating the last word by waving his hand over a pitcher of water and turning it so cold that a freezing mist spilled from its surface.

Tiphereth then grew silent before the dark Rohirrim woman appeared. He turned and smiled to her as she strolled into the kitchen and bid her, "Good morning."

The bard began chop up some onions he had conjured then added them to the stirred eggs cooking in the second skillet. "I hope you have an appetite, Brianna." he said to her with a genuinely pleasant smile, "Please let me know should there be any kind of food you may disdain."

Tiphereth was rather relaxed. His sleep had been most rejuvenating, but not so much so to make him as uncharacteristically carefree as he appeared. While he was actually revealing more of a nature that he commonly concealed, he was also putting on a bit of an act. Planting the seed that would imply a passionate relationship between he and Jalisa relied him playing the part. It was a fun charade, one that he did not mind, as the idea was far more attractive to him than the actual act.

The bard began to hum a happy tune as he cooked, his soft, lilting voice resonating through the kitchen as the bacon and eggs sizzled in their pans. He was just taking the biscuits out of the oven when the Dwarf stomped in, yawning loudly and stretching out his thick, stumpy arms.

It was a nice gathering. One that, Tiphereth was confident would remain private as he knew by the nature of the Rohirrim warriors that none would think to enter the kitchen. It was a place for women folk, but his cultured companions, even the Dwarf, did not see the room as taboo by any means.

"My friend, a divine messenger ye must be, 'cause ye've answered me prayers." Bellowed Orthargren as Tiphereth placed a heaping plate of food before the Dwarf. It was at that point that the druid entered the kitchen and joined the others at the small table set in the corner near to the oven that the Phaerie cooked upon.

Tiphereth smiled broadly when the druid offered the silver lantern in trade for some of his fare.

"May it continue to serve you my friend." he happily stated as he placed a plate of food before the druid then slipped one before Brianna that was in his other hand.

Jalisa alone would know the irony of witnessing the bard in his element. He was in fact very comfortable as a servant, as if he had at one time assumed the role before. The fact remained that he was very old, and one could only guess how many lives he had lived. Perhaps in one of them he had been a servant or a cook, the possibilities were really endless. It was apparent, though, that during his long life the Deithir had learned much about many things.

"Please my friends, eat all you can. The bounty before you has been conjured with the remnants of grains left over in the storage room of this kitchen." Said the bard, then he made a strange sign across his forehead and down the side of his face with his right hand, "This magic is possessed by all in my land. It is one of the gifts of the Aelaeydium, our supreme gods, and I am honored to share it with you all."

Tiphereth set the last plate before Lac'Nala.

"Let us eat and enjoy this fine morning whilest we yet revel in our victory. Then let us listen to our lord and ranger, as he offers us direction and guidance."

Jalisa found herself laughing along with the bard as he described his appearance as a Dragon then struck his pose. It was good to be able to laugh like this, despite the reality of their situation. Verin may very well have their freedom in hand but he could not crush their spirit. Of that they seemed determined to prove. His references to the new fallen snow as he proved his point by using his abilities on the pitcher of water caused her brow to quirk. The grin she sported was mischievous as she glanced at him again. Like him, her voice was low so no other ears heard her but his.

”A mate for my kind is not like those of the humanoid world, Fey. We would come together for a period of a few days, make passionate love, while air born, and then you would be sent away. Nothing is ever life long in my species. Except solitude.”

There was a devious twinkle in her eyes as she spoke of this mating ritual with the Pharie. When she heard the door open and turned to see Brianna walking in, Jalisa glanced at Tiphereth, shared a knowing glance with him then turned and gave her a pleasant smile, offering a good morning as well.

She remained close to the bard knowing the implication of their relationship would require them to remain close. Still, Jalisa made no forward moves to touch him any more than necessary. While they had to play the game of being intimate, she also knew the Fey needed his space as well. Most of the charade would require glances, smiles and supposed longing looks at each other and when they bedded down at night, making sure they shared the same room or laid their sleeping rolls next to each other when in the wild. It was important they continued to plant the seed of a relationship between them to ease the suspicions the others had.

As Tiphereth served the others, Jalisa’s eyes seemed to skim over the gathering group to see what sort of glances and looks she and the Fey were receiving, as well as gauge what thoughts and feelings they may have regarding herself and the bard. What she found interesting was how Jin made certain she stayed as far away form Tiphereth as she could and refused to look the bard in the eye.

Inwardly Jalisa smiled a devious smile. She was thinking of all the fun she could have tormenting the Drowess with little words here and there. Not to mention plant the seed of suspicion in the Ranger. Oh yes. This was going to be a rather….interesting….trip to Oron_D_Naar. One she was starting to look forward to. The beginning of her true nature was taking bud and before this journey was complete, there was no doubt it would come to full blossom.

An unfortunate fact for the companions now gathered in the kitchen sharing a morning meal.

____________________________________________________________________________________Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

As Jin and Lac’Nala walked into the kitchen, she glanced at Tiphereth, felt that carnal, animalistic urge bubble up within her. Her hand gripped Lac’Nala’s a little tighter as she clenched her jaw and forced that desire back down. There was a logical explanation for this reaction to the Deithir now but what it was, the Drowess couldn’t place her finger on just yet. As soon as she figured it out, she would know how to properly rid herself of it.

If that were possible.

Still, she walked with Lac to the table with her head held proudly and her shoulders square. What ever this was happening she would move past. Lac’Nala was back with her, they had defeated the Gorrinvul, with his dragon friend’s help, and the companions were back together. And getting ready to share a well deserved breakfast.

Refusing to look at Tiphereth if she didn’t have to, Jin gave all the others at the table a genuine smile and nod.

”We live to see another day, my friends. Let us eat the breakfast that has been prepared for us and give thanks to the Gods for the beautiful morning that brings us a chance at new life.”

She glanced at Lac’Nala then and smiled softer as her eyes locked with his.

____________________________________________________________________________________Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

Just before Lac and Jin had entered the kitchen, Lac whispered in her ear "It would take a horde of demons to part us again." ....... They then entered and sat just as Tiphereth slid a plate of food towards Jin and Lac. As he looked deeply into Jin's eyes a faint smile crossed his lips. He then turned to the others and said.

"I think it is time we continue our journey to the north. After breakfast Ssinjin and I shall speak with King Theoden privately regarding the supplies we will need. Now let us enjoy this fine meal and then prepare yourselves for our journey." He said and began to eat slowly as he watched the others closely, the gnawing feeling of a presence unseen kept a cold hand upon his heart.

Brianna smiled at Augustine as he sat down next to her glad to see that he was smiling as well. She glance at Tiphereth and Jalisa, still uneasy from the horrible dream she'd had the night before and found that she couldn't bring herself to look at Tiphereth just yet, afraid that she would see the evil side of him that had hacked away at her in her dream. But, as he laid the plate in front of her, she smiled a little at him in thanks, only to raise her hand to feel small flowers appearing in her hair. As she plucked one out, she was amazed to see it was one of her favorites.....lilacs. She glanced over at Augustine who was looking rather innocent. Leaning over, she whispered in his ear.

"Thank you, Augustine. I love the smell of these spring flowers and I don't get to wear them as often as I would like."

It was a confession of sorts, one that would tell the druid that while she was a warrior, she was also a woman with a softer side to her that didn't get to come out much.

____________________________________________________________________________________Judge not nor fear that or those which you do not understand, for it or they may be someone or something that will aid you in the trials of your life.